Review of TALK Tourism Immersion Visit by a student at Delaware University, USA

“This was an unbelievable experience. One that truly shows what life in South Africa for the average person is like. The son of the family I stayed with showed me a night life in Soweto that I could not have experienced on my own. Everyone was so friendly that I never felt so comfortable being the only white person. There was no difference in colour – we were all the same”.

Review of TALK Tours in the Lonely Planet Guide to South Africa

"TALK arranges 'immersion visits' where you spend time living in a community while learning the language (or just experiencing the culture - it's up to you). This can be anything from a weekend in Soweto to a month or longer in KwaZulu-Natal. TALK can organise just about anything for small groups, including meals with African families and visits to townships, with the emphasis on people-to-people contact.
VISITING SOWETO : If you're interested in something along the lines of cultural immersion rather than sightseeing contact the TALK project for details of its Soweto homestay and tour programs."

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Review of TALK Tourism by a recent visitor

"The people from Phaphama were just amazing. They basically bent over backwards for me. I have an interest in choral music : they organized an evening at a choir practice for me. I talked about visiting a school : they made it possible for me to spend a day in an elementary school. I mentioned wanting to see the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill in Johannesburg : they found a way to get me there. At the end of my stay, I had to go and meet my tour group at the other end of town and was unsure how to get there: they did much more than help me find my way, they actually took me there!
I have had the opportunity to experience homestays in several other countries, organized by different organisms, but this one beats them all! My 3 days in Soweto were the highlight of my trip. I feel that I have had a glimpse into "real" South African life. If I could, I would do it all over again, and if I ever go back, it will be for an extended rural homestay organized through Phaphama."